Ridgway
This little town is a wonderful place to refuel or refresh while exploring Ouray County. The trees in town can have migrant warblers and other landbirds in spring and fall. At almost any time of year the town might be invaded by Evening Grosbeaks or Cassin’s Finches, but influxes are unpredictable. A small private pond in the Golden Eagle subdivision can produce some good birds including Sora and Common Yellowthroat. A nice riverwalk trail along the river just north of town has interpretive displays on the Bald Eagles that winter between Ridgway and the Ridgway State Park just to the north. Keep an eye out for Band-tailed Pigeons winging their way overhead or gorging themselves at some local feeder.
Restrictions: Please respect private property
County: Ouray
Directions: Ridgway straddles CO 62 just west of US 550. To reach the pond at the Golden Eagle development, turn north onto CR 5 at the west edge of town - this road travels along the east side of the school. After CR 5 bends to the east, watch for the entrance to the development on the south. Drive through the entrance arch and pull off to the side of the road to view the pond. Please respect private property rights here. So far, residents have not minded birders viewing the pond and we want to keep it that way. This route also offers a nice back-door access to Ridgway State Park. To do so, simply continue north past the development to CR 24 and turn east. Cross the Uncompahgre River and immediately turn north into a dirt road/parking area. One can access the southern part of Ridgway State Park on foot from here. The shrubs on either side of the river offer migrant birds a plethora of fruits in the fall and the birding here can be excellent, particularly right at the CR 24 bridge, where the Eastern Kingbird has been seen.
Alternate Directions: Ridgway is along US550, 26 miles south of Montrose and 10 miles north of Ouray.
Habitat: Urban/Suburban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: Municipal/Private
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside, or paved parking lots
Lodging: Hotels in town
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Viewing from car or from some paved sidewalks
Delorme: 66 C3
ROC: 115 D2
Latitude: 38.152769
Longitude: -107.761726